One notable issue raised during the meeting was the impact of community parades on local churches, particularly the Victory Tabernacle Church located on Hamilton Avenue. Multiple speakers, including Margaret Tucker and Pastor Kevin Bines Jr., highlighted the challenges posed by these parades, which often block church entrances and disrupt services. Tucker emphasized the struggle to find parking, especially as a senior citizen, and Bines recounted a recent incident where blocked streets forced the cancellation of a church service. Bines described the chaotic scenes outside the church during parades and criticized the lack of police response, referring to the disruptions as a “direct egregious assault on our constitutional rights as a church.”

Elder Norman Marcel of Victory Tabernacle called for parades to be scheduled on Saturdays or after 3 PM on Sundays to avoid conflicts with church services. He stressed the need for better collaboration between the church and the city, urging for mutual respect and consideration in event planning. The narrative of frustration extended to other speakers, such as Charles Hardy from the Trenton Meeting of Friends, who addressed longstanding parking issues impacting his congregation on East Hover.

Parking regulations were another major concern, highlighted by residents who pointed out confusing signage and the impact of outdoor dining establishments like Orchid House on parking availability. One resident emphasized the need for a parking study to resolve these issues and improve neighborhood conditions, particularly for children navigating areas with neglected lots and piles of trash.

The council also heard from Samuel Gaylord, who brought attention to the plight of over 100 city employees with unresolved workers’ compensation cases. Gaylord described the city’s situation as resembling that of an uninsured employer, affecting a portion of the workforce. Carolyn Brooks, an employee with 22 years of service, detailed her struggle to secure a workers’ compensation settlement, noting a two-year delay and ongoing health deterioration.

In response to these concerns, Councilwoman Edwards expressed gratitude for the information presented and referenced a past conversation regarding the treatment of the Victory Tabernacle church during parades. She emphasized the need for better communication with churches to avoid such inconveniences. Councilwoman Frisby echoed Edwards’ sentiments, apologizing for the treatment of the church and stressing the importance of ensuring that community voices are heard and respected.

Following the public comment segment, the council moved on to discuss several ordinances and resolutions. One key item was the approval of an ordinance aimed at banning and penalizing illegal and unlicensed cannabis operations. This ordinance received unanimous support from all council members present. An attorney representing NJ Weedman’s dispensary expressed frustration over the lengthy approval process from both the city and the state, highlighting the bureaucratic hurdles faced by legal cannabis businesses.

Another topic was the approval of speed humps on various blocks of Grand Street, particularly from the 700 to 900 blocks. This decision followed efforts by council members to gather petitions from residents. A stop sign for the intersection of Grand and Dayton was also discussed, reflecting ongoing efforts to address traffic safety concerns in high-traffic areas like Lamberton Street.

The council also passed several resolutions, including a $500,000 settlement in a civil action involving the estate of Alfred Ctoe and a $900,000 settlement for Rose Johnson. Additionally, a contract for professional services in installing wayfinding signage downtown and in Chambersburg was awarded, with a maximum expenditure of $95,100.